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Your independent local guide to Essaouira

Essaouira Trips
Essaouira's wide sandy beach under a big blue sky

Checked, priced and named

Things to do in Essaouira.

Everything actually worth doing here, sorted by what kind of day you want. We name the operator, tell you the going rate, and say plainly when something is not worth it.

Browse activitiesPlan your trip
16
activities, each with a named operator
6
kinds of day, from surf to hammam
€20
indicative starting price

In short

The best things to do in Essaouira are a morning surf lesson on the bay, the Skala de la Ville ramparts at sunset, grilled fish at the port, a camel or horse ride to the dunes of Diabat and a cooking class in the medina. Do the sea and the beach in the morning, before the wind, and the medina in the afternoon.

Water & wind

The bay is the reason people come: a gentle beginner wave in the morning, reliable wind in the afternoon.

Beach & desert

South of town: the dunes of Diabat and Ouassane, the half-buried fort, and the argan forest.

Culture & medina

An 18th-century port built to a plan — it makes far more sense once someone explains it.

Food & cooking

A working fishing port in the middle of argan country. You will eat well.

Hammam & wellness

The correct response to three days of wind and sand.

Day trips

Empty beaches to the south, Marrakech inland — and an honest verdict on each.

Prices are indicative and set by the operator — always confirm on their page.

Free things to do in Essaouira

Half of what makes the town special costs nothing. Here is where to start.

  1. 01

    Walk the Skala de la Ville

    The sea rampart with its row of old cannons. Go at the end of the afternoon, when the light is best.

    Self-guided walking tour →
  2. 02

    The fishing port in the morning

    Blue boats, the catch coming in and the auction sheds. The fish grills are at the far end.

    Where to eat →
  3. 03

    The medina and the mellah

    A UNESCO old town laid out on a grid, and the old Jewish quarter just north of the main street.

    Self-guided walking tour →
  4. 04

    The beach walk towards Diabat

    Kilometres of sand south to the river and the ruined Borj El Baroud fort. Turn back at the river mouth: the current there is dangerous.

    Day trips from Essaouira →
  5. 05

    Watch the kitesurfers

    From April to September the bay fills with kites most afternoons. The seafront promenade is the best seat.

    Wind & weather, month by month →
  6. 06

    The Bab Doukkala market

    Where people actually shop: spices, olives, preserved lemons, and the fish and vegetable halls.

    Self-guided walking tour →
  7. 07

    The thuya wood workshops

    Marquetry is a real local craft, and the workshops in the medina are open to walk into.

    Self-guided walking tour →
  8. 08

    Place Moulay Hassan

    The square between the port and the medina. Order a mint tea and the whole town walks past.

    2 days in Essaouira →

How to plan your days in Essaouira

The wind decides the schedule. It is calm most mornings and builds from late morning, so put surfing, beach walks and camel rides before lunch, and keep the medina, the hammam and cooking classes for the afternoon. Kitesurfers do the opposite: their wind comes after lunch.

Two or three days cover the essentials without rushing: a surf lesson, the ramparts, the port, Diabat and a meal at the grills. With a week you have time for Sidi Kaouki, the argan countryside and a cooking class, and for doing nothing on a terrace, which is what Essaouira does best.

In summer and at Easter, book activities with a fixed start time a day or two ahead; the rest of the year you can usually decide the day before. Every operator we list is named on its page, with the price you should expect to pay.